--

As the occasion is one of personal explanation, a brief reference to the history of the Boston Courier, may be pardonable. The first number was issued on the second day of March, 1824, with the encouragement of less than two hundred subscribers. There was then one daily paper in the city, and the attempt to establish another was thought to be a reckless experiment. I had nothing but the small and rather precarious income of a weekly paper, (the New-England Galaxy,) and a confidence that perseverance and industry would eventually command success, to sustain me in the struggle. The inducement that led to the undertaking was the belief that a paper devoted to the cause of American manufactures and Internal Improvements was needed, a cause, which, at that time, received no encouragement from the press. For some years, this was the only paper in New England, so far as my knowledge extends, that undertook to advocate a Protective Tariff. For this cause it had to encounter opposition and rebuke from the newspapers of that day, and the relentless hostility of individuals, which, at one time, was manifested in an effort to stop its circulation among the merchants of the city, an effort that was defeated, and is remembered only to be forgiven. Its support, during the early period of its existence, was derived mainly from the friends of the Tariff, and those who pursued the business of manu. facturing on a moderate scale. The richest class of manufacturers, with one or two exceptions, contributed but little to its circulation or support. It was, in truth, the organ and the advocate of what may be called, without reproach, the "Middling Interest," and to that

class of the people it was chiefly indebted for such measure of prosperity as it finally attained.

The circulation of the Courier has never been aug. mented by a purchased union with other establishments, which their owners might deem it expedient for any reason to relinquish. It has been under the control of no one but myself. It now passes into other hands. My position will hereafter be occupied by those that will bring to the duty more available talent and more acceptable activity, though, I am sure, not a more lofty ambition to elevate and dignify the character of the press, nor a more sincere desire to be serviceable to their country and their race. For them I entreat the encouraging smile of the public. One of them has often contributed the effusions of his genius and wit to enliven and embellish the columns of the Courier. The other has long been an associate, and the public are not unacquainted with the results of his industry and intelligence, manifested in the news and business departments of the paper. In relinquishing the pa rental control of the child I have fondly cherished and proudly trained, I could not confide it to more honorable and trustworthy possession.

In reviewing the period that is now closing, I find much that will furnish subjects for pleasing reflection. I have made some friends that have been constant through good report and evil report, - many, whose kindness has cheered hours of gloom and darkness,— many, whose generosity has relieved distressing em barrassments, many, whose approbation has given me confidence when suffering under adversity, and inspired hope when on the verge of despair. In imagi

nation, at least, those friends will be my dearest companions in whatever situation I may hereafter be placed, and I shall never cease to implore for them all the good they can desire.

But it is not to be supposed that all, with whom I have come in contact as an editor, have parted in friendship. My opinions have been expressed with freedom and boldness; but I am not conscious that I have ever stated as a fact what I did not religiously believe to be true, nor an opinion that I did not firmly believe to be well-founded. Errors innumerable I have doubtless committed, which, when shown to be errors, have been cheerfully acknowledged. If, through my agency, wrong has been done to the person, feelings, property, or good name of a single individual, let this general declaration of penitence secure remission and forgiveness.

For many testimonials of sympathy and approbation I am indebted to my cotemporaries of the press. Their courtesy will always be gratefully remembered. If any kind expression of theirs has not been reciprocated, the omission has been the effect of inadvertence and not of intention. I have been engaged in many controversies with brethren of the profession, and bitter words have been uttered and retaliated. It is not in my nature to take reproach with meekness, but I believe I have seldom been the aggressor in an editorial warfare. In all such altercations I believe I am quite as much sinned against as sinning. But on whichever side the balance may be due, let the record be written on the sand, that the next wave may obliterate it.

If I have failed in my attempt to conduct a paper that should be the exponent of my own views of public policy, while it afforded a channel for the communication of opposite opinions from correspondents, the fault has been entirely in my want of judgement and capacity. Had I been less liberal in the avowal of personal opinions, more flexible in temper,- and more submissive to individual or party dictation, I might now withdraw from public notice with more ample means for the indulgence of ease, at a period of life when new pursuits, and further attempts to obtain independ ence by intellectual or physical exertion, would be equally unavailing. Could I have endured, passively, "the proud man's contumely," or tamely "crooked the pregnant hinges of the knee," that "thrift might follow fawning," I might now retire without feeling the morti. fying incapacity to discharge pecuniary obligations, that have caused me more painful regrets than those to whom those obligations are due, have ever expressed. But I make no complaints. The public are the best judges of the merits of the candidates for their support, and generally award their favor to those who serve them best. In my comments on public measures, and on the conduct and characters of public men, there is but little that I would cancel or retract. "What I have written, I have written." I have but few regrets to utter, but few concessions to make. This may sound like the vaporing of vanity and conceit, but it is the voice of honest conviction. If it be arrogant and presumptuous, let it be condemned or disregarded; if absurd and foolish, may it be pitied, pardoned, and forgotten.

The change that now takes place in my condition, relieves me from active participation in the political struggle that now agitates the public mind. In this contest, though I now have no other agency or influence than that of the humblest individual, it must not be supposed that I am to be an indifferent or unconcerned spectator. My political sympathies are known to be with the whig party; and however I may differ from some individuals of that party on some questions of public policy, it is not possible that I can ever be treacherous to the principles, which form the basis on which rest the true honor and glory of the nation. In the contest that has now begun, and that will last for five or six months to come, there needs no prophetic vision to foresee that there will be crimination and recrimination; that the father will be against the son; and that brother will rise up against brother. It is, perhaps, fortunate for me that I am removed from a situation, in which I might be brought into unwilling contact with the best of friends, and exposed to the chance of being engaged in discordant discussions with those whom I most esteem and love. I pray that this tempestuous agitation of the political elements may be the prelude to a period of union, harmony and peace. The Patriot's motto will be "Our country, our whole country, and nothing but our country." Yet no one can be insensible to the claims of that peculiar region which he calls his home. Born and bred in New-England, my affections and sympathies centre there; if I forget her, may my right hand forget its cunning! Massachusetts has been my home for more than half a century,